An internal investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has revealed that Major Paul Bryant clocked approximately 30 hours in which he was not at work, costing the department around $2,800. The inquiry was initiated after the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office received an anonymous tip alleging time theft.

The tip claimed that Bryant was working significantly fewer hours than the 40 per week he reported on his timesheet and frequently left early to coach football at Madison Plains High School, where he serves as an assistant coach.

During the investigation, Bryant acknowledged that his work hours varied, stating that while he sometimes worked less than 40 hours per week, he also worked additional hours at other times. However, he was unable to provide documentation to support his claims.

Bryant admitted that his presence at work was reduced during football season but asserted that he stayed longer during the off-season. The sheriff’s office noted that Bryant was given the opportunity to provide evidence verifying his time, but he was unable to do so.

Investigators concluded that they could only assess the situation based on available documentation, interviews, and observations. While Bryant denied intentionally overreporting his hours to defraud the county, he acknowledged that there were weeks when he did not work the full 40 hours.

The investigation determined that Bryant violated three department policies. However, it remains unclear whether disciplinary action will be taken against him.

This case underscores the importance of accountability in public service roles and highlights the challenges of balancing professional responsibilities with outside commitments. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office continues to review its policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.